Are you at risk of hypertension?
Police officers, firemen, EMT’s, and other municipal workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation as a result of various injuries, such as hypertension.
As a police officer, fireman, EMT, or other municipal worker, the law recognizes that there is a presumption of medical risk within your job duties. The law varies depending on the year in which you enlisted as an officer or were hired at a particular position. In general, if the injury, disability or other medical condition did not surface before you started working in this field, there is a presumption that the condition is related to the job. In other circumstances, the employee must prove that the stress at work caused hypertension or a heart condition.
These jobs can be stressful and dangerous. Stress on the job can lead to health complications if left unchecked.
What causes hypertension?
If you have hypertension, your blood pressure is higher than normal. It can be caused by a number of factors, including your medical history, lifestyle and work stress. Municipal workers can have a particularly stressful job, working demanding jobs while serving the public on a daily basis. Additionally, this type of work can affect your blood pressure, especially as temperatures outside start to rise this summer.
Know the signs of hypertension
Hypertension is often known as the “silent killer.” This is because the signs and symptoms often go unnoticed, and many individuals are not even aware that they have it. Though it can be difficult to detect, some symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness and blurry vision
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
The best way to know if you have hypertension, however, is to visit your doctor and get your blood pressure checked.
When hypertension at work causes health problems
If you develop heart problems or other medical issues as a result of stress at work, it may be possible to collect workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment and lost wages to individuals who are injured at work. This includes injuries that develop over time as a result of physical stress on the job.
